Boudh: One person died and 10 were critically injured after a powerful explosion brought down a firecracker godown at Jiakata under Purunakatak police limits in Harabhanga block of Odisha’s Boudh district on Sunday.
According to sources, the explosion took place at around 11 am. A trader had stored a large quantity of firecrackers in a rented house at Jiakata. The firecrackers ignited for unknown reasons, triggering a massive blast that reduced several nearby houses to rubble. Glass panes of several shops in Purunakatak market, nearly a kilometre away, were also shattered under the impact of the explosion.
Locals helped rush the injured to Purunakatak Community Health Centre.
On being informed, fire services personnel from Harabhanga rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. Police also reached the spot and began an investigation into the incident.